New paint concept store from Paint & Place

Starting with a pre-selected palette of the top 300, 'architect select' colour palettes from paint leaders Plascon, Midas and Earthcote, everything about these franchise-owned group of paint outlets is designed to assist customers in making the best choice of colour, product, materials and contractors. With a friendly look and a rich offering of visual information at various points in the shop, the stores are more project consultation room than traditional retail space.

Staff will be carefully selected based on their knowledge and experience of paint and its application. The Freeworld Paint Academy will train and vet contractors, whose details will be made available to customers looking for professional assistance. Accessories for sale will include Hamilton's paintbrushes and various other paint accessories so it really is a one-stop paint experience.

Says Paint & Place franchise director, Grant Seton-Smith, "The advances in paint have meant that there is more choice than ever and much more that you can actually do with it. We have taken some of the legwork out of having to choose. Our product line still offers great, reliable brand names but we have tightened up the range of colours and we are creating an atmosphere that is open for consultation, ready to answer questions and give advice. The stores offer that old-fashioned high street experience with added accessibility to new paint technology and resources to assist the ideas and execution of your project, whether in a weekend or over a year."